The three fathers in my life

Readers share memorable pictures of their dads!

Yesterday was Father's Day and we invited readers to send in special 'Daddy and Me' pics. Here's the next and final set of responses!

First up we have this pic from Kamala Suresh:

Dad, Dad, Dad.

My dad, Mr Ganesan is the greatest person who taught me to be independent and face the world with confidence. He tought me that hard work never fails. He gave me the freedom to think and decide what I wanted to be in life. Being an only child, he never over-protected me. I learnt the value of money when he encouraged me to prepare a monthly budget for our family since my seventh grade.

Even though he is from a small village in Tirunelveli, he gave me a good education in a reputed college. I am proud to say I am the first engineer from my father's village. He never retricted me in my career, teaching me that the sky is the limit. I can give him nothing but the happiness of being a proud father to me and a grandpa to my son, sweet little Ashwin.

The other dad is the man behind my husband, my father-in-law Mr Ramachandran. A simple, shy person, all I know of him of the last four years is that he has done everything for his sons beyond his ability, right from getting them a good education to settling them early in life and he has succeeded. He always treat me like his daughter and our son Ashwin is his best. Thank God for giving me such a good father-in-law.

Last but not least is my husband, Suresh. Enjoying fatherhood for the past one-and-a-half years, my husband is such a wonderful dad and friend to Ashwin. I am sure he is the coolest dad and Ashwin will be sharing his thoughts in a few years.

Even though I believe all days are Father's Day and Mother's Day, this special day gives us an opportunity to share our love with them. Even though my father and father-in-law may not read this, I am sure they are the best in our lives.

Here's a sweet note about his late father from Tusar Kole:

I recall early in this millennium, my dad, my daughter and I were like childhood friends. My dad is no more in this world; however, I always like to remember him along with my daughter.

Even though my dad was in his 70s, his childlike pranks spilled over to my daughter whenever he got a chance. She was also fond of playing tricks with her grandpa. On seeing them in their childlike mood, I used to break open my barrier.

We tend to grow older than our age by the time we reach 40. Time has snatched my most adorable childhood friend, my dad; my daughter also grew older on losing him. Now it is very difficult to keep that child within me, but I tend to impersonate her grandpa to fill the void and the father inside me is growing to illustrate the flow of love, affection, fatherly care and nurturing generation after generation.

Little Rachael and Reece sent in this loving note to their dad:

Wishing you a very happy Father's Day.

My dad is the best in the full world. I am his sweetu and my brother is his jaan.

Since Mummy and Daddy are both working, Dad is the one who makes the most time for us, be it playing cricket with my brother after a tiring day of work or playing carrom with me. On saturday and sunday also, he organises games for our friends and us.

GOD BLESS YOU my Daddu, may we always make you happy in life, you are our idol.

YOU are the best SON, HUSBAND, FRIEND, BROTHER and above all the best FATHER in this world.

Here's what Vicky Menezes sent in:

On this wonderful day, just like to say a Big Thank You for all that you have done for us...Words don't seem enough to express how much we value you. Seen in this pic is my dad with his grandchild Myrrah. Being a dad today, I can sense the hardships he underwent to keep us secure and all the struggles he faced for our bright future.

Thank you Dad...love you...

Padmaja Karthikeyan sent this in on behalf of her baby daughter Shruthi Karthikeyan:

I love you Daddy and want you to know, that I feel your love wherever I go,
I don't tell you enough how important you are and in my universe you are a shining star.

You are there for me Daddy -- looking at me, listening to me, talking with me,
You make time for me and make me feel that I am everything to you.

You're one in a million Daddy! When it comes to first-class dads, you're the absolute cream of the crop,
I'm admiring you today, you're the strength of our home -- the king who can do everything.

I respect you, I admire you, I love you and I owe my life to you Daddy.
I pray to God to give me the same Daddy for all my births in this world.

Sadia Nahid contributed this pic and wishes to her husband Mubeen from their 3-year-old daughter Simra:

Thank you for being the bestttest dad in the world. I love you and I am proud to be my daddy's little girl...cheers to you now and forever, loads of love...Simra.

Apsara Mokashi also sent this in on behalf of her infant daughter Saachi Pant:

I am Saachi Pant and I am two months old. My dad's name is Yogesh Pant. I want to wish my dad Happy Father's Day.

Daddy was the first one to hold me when I came out of my mommy's tummy. My daddy loves and cares for me a lot. When I cry at night for any random reason, I get pacified only when he holds me and sings to me. I love to listen to his songs. He is a perfect dad, one who changes my nappy, burps me and puts me to sleep.

I am my daddy's favorite model. Whenever he comes home from the office, he picks up the camera and starts photographing me.

Now I am at my nani's place and will go back to my daddy in a month's time. I am eagerly waiting to meet him and tell him the word that I have learned recently, 'akku'. Also, now I smile a lot.

This Father's Day I want to give my daddy the following message.
"Akku Daddy, I love you, love you, love you -- a lot. I miss you a lot. It's very difficult to sleep without your lullabies. I am waiting to come back and then I'll play with you. I'll tell you all the words -- sounds -- that I have learned. I'll kiss you goodbye to the office and then welcome you home in the evening with a smile.

YOU ARE WORLD'S BEST DAD.

Lots of moms out there are writing in for their babies! Here is a message from Isha Rao for her husband from their son Ryan:

Hi Everybody,

My name is Ryan Rao and I stay in Perth, Australia. I am two years old. This picture is of the time when I was one year old and dad is cuddling me. He cuddles me a lot and now everybody calls me a "CUDDLY BABY". I love Dad very much and he is my favourite idol.

He gets me so many things I can never imagine and with Father's Day approaching I will give him a big surprise.

THANK YOU DAD FOR WHATEVER YOU DO FOR ME.

LOVE YOU,
RYAN

From Vidyadhar Narayan to his father K U Narayanan:

I always thought that my dad was a righteous man who carried himself with a lot of self-respect. He lost both his parents at an early age due to which he had to undergo numerous struggles and hardships during his early years to educate himself.

After completing his school education in Kerala, he came down to Mumbai in the mid 1950s for better prospects. He survived in Mumbai doing odd jobs during the day and studied under the street lights in the evening to earn his degree. He worked as a teacher in one of the schools in Mumbai and brought up his family of wife and four children, ensuring that all our needs are taken care of.

Now when I look back, I know how difficult it must have been to bring up a sizeable family with the income he earned as a teacher during those days. I remember that he used to start to work from home at 6 am and work until late at night, taking extra tuitions to earn some extra income to manage the finances at home.

Even now at the age of 83, he is self-employed and ensures that he does not have to depend on anyone, although all of his children are quite well off. He is a true inspiration for all of us.

Huma Anwar sent this in from eight-year-old Shahi Raza Khan to his dad:

My papa is the best father in the whole universe. He's my playmate, my buddy, my teacher and my companion. I can do without playing, but not without my father.

Theresa Currie has this to say:

This photograph is of my husband Oscar Currie with our, as he likes to call them, 'Two Little Angels'. Daddy is their life and means the world to them. Daddy you are the bestest and we love you much too much!

Dad JaiGanesh wrote in about his son GirikMrityunJayan, who makes this Father's Day so special for him:

This picture is with my son GirikMrityunJayan. It was taken at my residence in StPaul, Minnesota. My son likes all kinds of cars which he can drive on the floor. He is really cool and loves playing even if the temperature is -40 degrees C. He is nicknamed 'Chintu'.

Dheeraj Gambhir has a poem for his dad, along with a pic alongside a lady who seems to either Dheeraj's wife or his sister:

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.

I feel safe when you are with me;
You show me fun things to do;
You make my life much better;
The best Father I know is you.

As a young child you held my hand and wiped away my tears.
You saw me through some difficult years and watched me grow with the years.
You spoke of love and life and dreams and helped to ease my fears.
I want you to know, my Father, it's admiration and love in my tears.

I saw in your heart and body the fight and through that experience you gave me insight.
It was an honour holding your hand through the night, to dream your dreams and try to make it right.
I knew in my soul what we must do, bring you home for your final flight.
But I want you to know, my Father, you are still my guiding light.

Even though not spoken enough, I appreciate all you did do.
Gratitude is all I feel, for having a father like you.
I hold in my heart your image so clear; it was a gift to see you through.
I want you to know my Father, in my heart you'll be so true.

Nothing but love and light and peace -- my wish for you this day.
I want you to know, my Father, this is what I pray.

And finally, we have Paromita Bhattacharya's warm dedication to her husband Anupam along with son Arhan:

This pic is of Arhan and his dad Anupam taken in Mahabaleshwar, October 2009, when Arhan was two. This is their favourite pastime, doing 'no.. to no..'! Guess this is dad Anupam's way of teaching Arhan to look into the eyes and never fear anything. Anupam is Arhan's hero and Anupam dotes on Arhan. He is our biggest stressbuster after a hard day.

Happy Father's Day Anupam...